Shaft structure of foldable umbrella

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an umbrella and includes a cover, a shaft of multi-sectional tubes, a notch, a runner, main ribs, and stretchers. A fixed sleeve is disposed outside an engaging complex that is disposed on the top portion of a sectional tube of the shaft having the smallest diameter, thereby enabling the engaging complex to slide up or down inside the fixed sleeve. The notch connects with an upper end of the fixed sleeve and the runner is disposed outside the fixed sleeve thereby enabling the runner to slide up or down outside the fixed sleeve. The fixed sleeve of this invention forms an elongated and strengthened part of the shaft to firmly support the umbrella when opened and stores multiple or all sectional tubes of the shaft when fully collapsed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a multi-sectional shaft structure of amulti-fold umbrella, and more particularly to a multi-fold umbrellahaving an elongated and strengthened shaft allowing firm support of theumbrella in opened position and reducing overall volume of the umbrellawhen collapsed.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

An umbrella is formed in a multi-sectional foldable fashion foreasy-carrying when collapsed. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 1A, an umbrella 1comprises a cover 11, a shaft 12, a notch 13, a runner 14, main ribs 15,and stretchers 16, wherein the notch 13 pivotally connects with mainribs 15 to support the cover 11 and runner 14 pivotally connects withstretchers 16 to support main ribs 15. The shaft 12 is formed withmulti-sectional tubes and with an inner tube 122 connected to the notch13. A spring-loaded stop 17 is formed in a rectangular opening 121 ofthe inner tube 122. Umbrella 1 is opened by pushing the runner 14upwards to a position that the spring-loaded stop 17 spring out of therectangular opening 121 supports the runner 14 which further supportsthe extended stretchers 16 to prop up main ribs 15 for the cover 11.Umbrella 1 is collapsed by pressing down on the spring-loaded stop 17 todisengage the runner 14 allowing it to move downwards on the shaft 12.

Although a conventional umbrella can be opened or collapsed, problemsoccur when requiring a further reduction in overall length whencollapsed, which can only be achieved by forming the shaft 12 with moretubes of shorter length. As a result, the difference between thediameter of an outer tube and each inner tube of the shaft inevitablyincreases, which results in a large spacing between the inner tube 122of the shaft 12 and runner 14, causing unsmooth and shaking movementswhen sliding runner 14 up or down shaft 12, thereby further renderingthe spring-loaded stop 17 unable to properly support runner 14.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multi-fold umbrella comprising acover, a shaft, a notch, a runner, a plurality of main ribs andstretchers, wherein, the shaft is formed of multi-sectional tubes, thenotch pivotally connects with main ribs to support the cover, and therunner pivotally connects with stretchers to support the main ribs. Afixed sleeve is displaced outside an engaging complex formed on an upperend of an inner tube of the shaft having the smallest diameter enablingthe engaging complex to slide up or down inside the fixed sleeve. Thenotch further connects with an upper end of the fixed sleeve and therunner is disposed outside the fixed sleeve enabling the runner to slideup or down outside the fixed sleeve to open or collapse the umbrella.

As a result, the fixed sleeve forms an elongated and strengthened partof the shaft, which firmly supports the umbrella when in fully-openedposition, and stores multiple or all sectional tubes of the shaft whenumbrella is in collapsed position, thereby reducing overall volume ofthe umbrella.

To enable a further understanding of the said objectives and thetechnological methods of the invention herein, set forth is a briefdescription of the drawings followed by a more detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a conventional umbrella in openposition.

FIG. 1A shows a partial enlarged view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a partial enlarged view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the present invention in openposition.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded elevational view of a fixed sleeve and anengaging complex of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows another exploded elevational view of a fixed sleeve and anengaging complex of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of the present invention incollapsed position.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of another application of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7A shows a partial enlarged view of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an application of the presentinvention to an automatic foldable umbrella.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an application of the presentinvention to a hauling-cable type automatic umbrella.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show further exploded elevational views of the fixedsleeve and the engaging complex according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 2, 2A and 3. The present invention relates to anumbrella 2 comprising a cover 21, a shaft 22, a notch 23, a runner 24,main ribs 25, stretchers 26, and a fixed sleeve 27, wherein, the shaft22 is formed with multi-sectional tubes, the notch 23 pivotally connectswith main ribs 25 to support the cover 21, and the runner 24 pivotallyconnects with stretchers 26 to prop up main ribs 25. By fitting thefixed sleeve 27 on the outer perimeter of an engaging complex 28 formedon the top portion of the sectional tube of the shaft 22 having thesmallest diameter, enables the engaging complex 28 to slide up or downin the fixed sleeve 27. By forming the notch 23 atop and the runner 24outside fixed sleeve 27 enables the runner 24 to move up or down thefixed sleeve 27 to open or collapse the umbrella 2. When in openedposition, the fixed sleeve 27 forms an elongated and strengthened partof the shaft 22 and the runner 24 fixes at an opening 271 of the fixedsleeve 27 by a locking device 4 (see FIG. 3). When in collapsedposition, multiple or all sectional tubes of the shaft 22 can beaccommodated inside the fixed sleeve 27, thereby reducing the overallvolume and making a shorter folded umbrella 2.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4. A bolt 284 is used to connect the engagingcomplex 28 with the shaft 22. An opening 281 and a groove 285 are formedon the engaging complex 28, wherein a spring 282 and a button 283 areplaced inside the opening 281. A locking hole 272, corresponding to thebutton 283, and a locking flake 29, corresponding to the groove 285, areformed on the fixed sleeve 27 such that, when extending the shaft 22,the locking flake 29 secures the groove 285 of the engaging complex 28and the button 283 spring out to secure at the locking hole 272 of thefixed sleeve 27, thereby enabling the engaging complex 28 to firmlyconnect with the fixed sleeve 27. By riveting or gluing a stick 291through the locking flake 29 and a fixing opening 273 of the fixedsleeve 27 enables the locking flake 29 to firmly secure to a lower endof the fixed sleeve 27.

Referring to FIG. 5. The present invention can be designed in a typeother than that in FIG. 4, with the fixed sleeve 27 and the notch 23each being a separate structure connected by a rivet 276 perforatingthrough a rivet opening 274, formed on the fixed sleeve 27, and anopening 232 of a connection section 231, formed on a lower end of thenotch 23. A fastening body 275, corresponding to the groove 285, and alocking hole 272, corresponding to the button 283 are formed on thefixed sleeve 27 such that, when extending the shaft 22, the fasteningbody 275 engages with the groove 285 and the button 283 spring out tosecure at the locking hole 272 of the fixed sleeve 27, thereby theengaging complex 28 firmly connects with the fixed sleeve 27.

Referring again to FIG. 3. To open the umbrella 2, the first step is toextend the shaft 22 such that the locking flake 29 on the fixed sleeve27 secures the groove 285 of the engaging complex 28 and the button 283spring out to fix at the locking hole 272 of the fixed sleeve 27 so thatthe fixed sleeve 27 firmly connects with the engaging complex 28 andalso forms a part of the shaft 22. The second step is to push the runner24 upwards till a position that the locking device 4 locks the opening271, thereby enabling stretchers 26 to support main ribs 25, which propup the cover 21.

Referring to FIG. 6. The fixed sleeve 27 forms an elongated andstrengthened part of the shaft 22. To collapse the umbrella 2, the firststep is to press down on the locking device 4 to release from theopening 271 of fixed sleeve 27, the runner 24 then slips downward andpresses down on the button 283 thereby separating the button 283 withthe locking hole 272. The second step is to retract multi-sectionaltubes of the shaft 22 into the fixed sleeve 27, thereby making a shorterfolded umbrella.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 7A. A spring-loaded stop 4′ is disposed on thefixed sleeve 27 to support the runner 24. To open the umbrella 2, thefirst step is to extend the shaft 22 such that the locking flake 29 onthe fixed sleeve 27 locks the groove 285 of the engaging complex 28 andthe button 283 spring out to fix on the locking hole 272 of the fixedsleeve 27 thereby connecting the fixed sleeve 27 firmly with theengaging complex 28 and also rendering the fixed sleeve 27 to form apart of the shaft 22. The second step is to push the runner 24 upwardssuch that the spring-loaded stop 4′ stops and supports the runner 24thereby enabling stretchers 26 to support main ribs 25, which prop upthe cover 21. To collapse the umbrella, the first step is to press downthe spring-loaded stop 4′, the runner 24 then slips downward and pressesdown on the button 283 thereby separating the button 283 with thelocking hole 272. The second step is to retract multiple or allsectional tubes of the shaft 22 into the fixed sleeve 27, therebyforming a shorter folded umbrella.

Referring to FIG. 8. The present invention can be applied to anautomatic umbrella 2 a, wherein a spring is disposed between the middleconnector 20 and runner 24 and another spring disposed between the fixedsleeve 27 and the shaft 22. With the incorporation of the fixed sleeve27 and the engaging complex 28, the fixed sleeve 27 forms an elongatedpart of the shaft 22, when the umbrella 2 a is opened, and multiple orall sectional tubes of the shaft 22 can be retracted into the fixedsleeve 27 to make a shorter folded umbrella 2 a, when fully collapsed.

Referring to FIG. 9. The present invention can be applied to anhauling-cable type automatic umbrella 2 b, wherein the fixed sleeve 27forms an elongated and strengthened part of the shaft 22 when theumbrella 2 b is opened, and multiple or all sectional tubes of the shaft22 can be retracted into the fixed sleeve 27 that is disposed below thenotch 23 to form a shorter and smaller folded umbrella 2 b, when fullycollapsed.

Referring to FIG. 10. The present invention can be applied to anotherembodiment, wherein the engaging complex 28 corresponding to a fixedsleeve 27, with a cylinder 286 disposed therebetween. An opening 281formed on the engaging complex 28, with a spring 282 and a button 283secured therein. A locking hole 272 corresponding to the button 283whereas a cylinder section 277 being engaged with the cylinder 286 byinserting into a lower portion of the fixed sleeve 27.

The engaging complex 28 along with the shaft 22 being inserted into thefixed sleeve 27, and further capped by the notch 23 on the fixed sleeve27, with a rivet 276 perforating through a rivet opening 274 formed onthe fixed sleeve 27 and an opening 232 formed on a connection section231 thereby connecting the notch 23 to the fixed sleeve 27. Meanwhile,by inserting the cylinder 286 into the cylinder section 277 and with thebutton 283 secured in a locking hole 272, the engaging complex 28thereby being firmly connected with the fixed sleeve 27, enabling thefixed sleeve 27 to be an extra part of the shaft 22 Referring to FIG.11. A protruding rim 278 can be formed on a perimeter of the cylindersection 277 to avoid the user being hurt by the sharp edge when pullingthe shaft 22.

It is of course to be understood that the embodiments described hereinare merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and that awide variety of modifications thereto may be effected by persons skilledin the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas set forth in the following claims.

1. A multi-sectional shaft structure of an umbrella comprises a cover, ashaft formed of multi-sectional tubes, a notch, a runner, a plurality ofmain ribs and stretchers, wherein the notch pivotally connects with mainribs to support the cover, and the runner pivotally connects withstretchers to support said main ribs; a fixed sleeve is disposed outsidean engaging complex that is disposed on the top portion of a sectionaltube of the shaft having the smallest diameter enabling the engagingcomplex to slide up or down inside the fixed sleeve; the notch furtherconnects with an upper end of the fixed sleeve and the runner isdisposed outside the fixed sleeve enabling the runner to slide up ordown outside the fixed sleeve to open or collapse the umbrella.
 2. Themulti-sectional shaft structure of an umbrella as described in claim 1,wherein an opening or a spring-loaded stop is disposed on the fixedsleeve to secure and support the runner enabling the shaft to firmlysupport the umbrella when in opened position.
 3. The multi-sectionalshaft structure of an umbrella as described in claim 1, wherein thefixed sleeve and the notch are integrally formed.
 4. The multi-sectionalshaft structure of an umbrella as described in claim 1, wherein thefixed sleeve and the notch are separately formed before assembly.
 5. Themulti-sectional shaft structure of an umbrella as described in claim 1,wherein the fixed sleeve and the engaging complex can be in the form ofa cylinder, a rectangular solid, an ellipsoid, or a polyhedron.
 6. Themulti-sectional shaft structure of an umbrella as described in claim 1,wherein an opening and a groove are disposed on the engaging complex,with a spring and a button disposed in the opening thereof; a lockinghole corresponding to the button and a locking flake corresponding tothe groove are disposed on the fixed sleeve enabling the locking flaketo lock the groove of the engaging complex and the button spring out tosecure at the locking hole of the fixed sleeve when extending the shaft,thereby the engaging complex firmly connects with the fixed sleeve. 7.The multi-sectional shaft structure of an umbrella as described in claim1, wherein the fixed sleeve and the engaging complex can be applied tovarious automatic umbrellas.
 8. The multi-sectional shaft structure ofan umbrella as described in claim 1, wherein an engaging complexdisposed with a connection section, corresponding to a fixed sleeveformed above and a cylinder formed beneath; an opening formed on theengaging complex having a spring and a button secured therein; a lockinghole corresponding to the button and a cylinder section being engagedwith the cylinder thereby inserting into a lower portion of the fixedsleeve.
 9. The multi-sectional shaft structure of an umbrella asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the fixed sleeve and the engaging complexcan be applied to various automatic umbrellas.
 10. The multi-sectionalshaft structure of an umbrella as described in claim 1, wherein aprotruding rim can be formed on a perimeter of the cylinder section toavoid being hurt by the sharp edge when pulling the shaft.